Application Guidelines for Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme

Effective date: October 2017

What is the Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy?

The Regional Athlete Travel Subsidy Scheme (ATSS) provides a funding subsidy to assist talented regional Western Australian athletes with out-of-pocket travel and accommodation costs to compete at regional, state and national championships or events.

The intent of ATSS is to support regional athletes who have progressed into the talent development/high performance pathway of their chosen sport. Athletes must have undergone a selection process* endorsed by their respective Regional (RSA)/State (SSA)/National Sporting Organisation (NSO) to participate at an event/competition within their pathway* that is essential to be considered for selection to a higher level team/event.

The ATSS is part of the State Government’s Regional Athlete Support Program, administered by Sport and Recreation (WA), a division of the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, supported by the Royalties for Regions Program.

Be attending a recognised event that is part of their sport’s State or National pathway

Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident

Be aged 13*–21 years at the commencement date of the event they are participating in

Be a current registered member of a club or association that is affiliated with a SSA that is deemed eligible by Sport and Recreation (WA) (refer Appendix 2 for a list of eligible SSAs).

*Note: 13 and Under age group events/competitions are not eligible for support, even if an athlete has turned 13 years of age prior to the event/competition start date.

Note: regional athletes who attend school or university and are boarding in metropolitan Perth are classed as regional athletes but are ineligible to apply for Performance Category levels 4 and 5 or receive Regional Athlete Support Scheme funding for other performance categories. Refer to the Sport and Recreation (WA) website for clarification on metropolitan and regional boundaries.

What will be funded?

A subsidy must be used to offset a regional athlete's out-of-pocket travel and accommodation costs only associated with involvement in one of the performance categories. Funding will be for either retrospective or future travel occurringwithin the eligible dates for the event.

Funding is allocated against the applicant’s out-of-pocket amount and will not exceed the specified maximum funding limits. In cases where the number of applications exceeds the budget, eligible athletes will receive lower funding, and in extreme cases some eligible athletes may not receive any subsidy.

Note: Out-of-pocket expenses refer to travel/accommodation costs less any other financial support e.g. Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS), Local Sporting Champions, local government grants, etc.

Assessment criteria

Athletes who meet all points in the section above and are selected* to represent their region or Western Australia in an eligible SSA/NSO sanctioned state or national talent championships/events will be eligible to apply for funding.

* Selection refers to a process whereby clearly defined performance criteria are applied to select only the highest performing athletes onto a squad/team, within the athlete development pathway** controlled by the recognised SSA/NSO, and no element of chance is applied to that selection process. Where applicable, athletes must achieve advertised entry standards.

** The sport’s pathway is determined by those events and competitions that complement the progression of the athlete towards national representation with the recognised peak organisation for the sporting activity in Australia. It refers specifically to what is recognised by the SSA and the NSO as the milestone events that it is critical for athletes to participate in, in order to progress along that pathway.

Athletes must meet one of the three performance categories during the eligible start dates for the event (refer to Sport and Recreation website) to be eligible for a subsidy.

What will not be funded?

A subsidy cannot be used to offset costs associated with the following:

Meals

Team uniforms

Sporting equipment

Medical/physiotherapy expenses unless the above costs are included within a contribution levy required to be paid by the athlete to a NSO/SSA/RSA

Travel to Country Week not forming part of a SSA formal selection process

Travel to school/university/touring team events

Travel to events where the athlete has chosen to represent WA or a region in an event they have qualified or nominated for and has not been selected by the NSO/SSA/RSA

Travel costs incurred by athletes competing in sports not deemed eligible by Sport and Recreation (WA)

Travel costs incurred by athletes competing in State representation teams, talent squads and/or training squads not selected/endorsed by the NSO/SSA/RSA

Travel costs incurred by athletes competing at events/competitions which do not form part of, or contribute to, the recognised NSO/SSA pathway

Expenses for family members attending the event with the athlete.

Performance categories

Only one application per athlete per sport per round will be considered for support. Athletes who have already received a subsidy, in the same sport, in the same financial year, will only be eligible for further subsidies at a different performance category.

Note 1: Performance Category 1 (member of a National team traveling to represent Australia at an international event) is no longer eligible for subsidy support. The change is effective from 14 April 2016 and all subsequent rounds.

Note 2: Performance Category 2 (member of an Australian squad traveling to participate in Australian selection commitments) is no longer eligible for subsidy support. The change is effective from 2017/18 Round 1 and all subsequent rounds.

Performance categories

Category

Performance level

Level of support per athlete

3

Athlete as a member of a State team (or equivalent) traveling to represent Western Australia at national championships.

Up to $500

Plus Regional Athlete Support for eligible athletes

4

Athlete as a member of a WA State squad, WA Country Team or equivalent, traveling to compete in State squad training/competition commitments, vying for selection into a WA State team.

Regional Athlete Support for eligible athletes

5

Athlete selected through a formal selection process to represent their sport’s region, traveling to compete in a State championship/event vying for selection into a State squad or WA Country Team or equivalent.

Regional Athlete Support for eligible athletes

Note 1: Athletes competing at national championships as part of a State country or region specific team e.g. North West or country specific teams will be assessed as Category 4 or 5 as they are representing a specific region and not the entire State.

Note 2: Athletes competing at national championships as part of a club team or as an individual are only eligible as a Category 3 if they are also ranked as a State level athlete by their SSA.

Note 3: Athletes competing as part of a WA State School / Special Olympics State team are only eligible if school/Special Olympics teams/competitions are recognised and integrated into their SSA’s pathway. Athletes should contact their SSA prior to submitting their application to confirm the status of the team.

Note 4: Where a RSA or SSA selects multiple teams in the same age group for the same event, only athletes in the highest ranked team are eligible. If equal teams are selected, then only those athletes ranked by the RSA/SSA as equivalent of the highest ranked team will be eligible. Regional athletes in State ‘B’ teams will be eligible for Category 4.

What is the application process?

Applicants should read and understand the application guidelines before commencing the application process.

Applicants should refer to the Sport and Recreation (WA) website for the pathway mapping document specific to their sport to determine eligibility for teams and events before commencing the application process.

Applications must be submitted using the online application form available via the Sport and Recreation (WA) website www.dsr.wa.gov.au and all sections must be completed (refer Appendix 1 for all application information required). In submitting the application, the athlete makes a commitment to Sport and Recreation (WA) to comply with the terms and conditions applicable to ATSS.

Athletes will be eligible to apply for funding more than once per financial year in the same sport, provided any subsequent application is not in the same performance category.

Payments are made to the nominated bank account stated within the application form, via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) after the round has closed and all applications have been assessed, validated by the SSA and processed.

All applications must be lodged with Sport and Recreation (WA) by midnight on the published closing date, unless a different closing time is published on the Sport and Recreation (WA) website.

No late applications will be accepted.

How will applications be processed?

Statewide assessment

Sport and Recreation (WA) will contact the SSA to validate that the information relating to the athlete’s performance level and travel costs is accurate, and to confirm the team/event is integrated into the recognised pathway for that sport.

Sport and Recreation (WA) will assess applications based on the eligibility criteria and performance categories funding framework.

Subsidy amounts are subject to the number of eligible applications received and allocated budget per round. Minimum funding thresholds will be applied and be determined by Sport and Recreation (WA), below which no subsidy will be paid.

The assessment decision is final and no appeal regarding a decision will be entered into.

Notification

The assessment, notification and payment process will be completed within approximately six (6) weeks of the closing date of each round.

Successful applicants will receive a letter from the Minister for Sport and Recreation, as well as a remittance email when the subsidy is deposited via electronic transfer.

Unsuccessful applicants will be notified via email.

Application periods

Applications must be submitted online by midnight on the advertised closing date, unless a different closing time is published on the Sport and Recreation (WA) website. Late applications will not be accepted.

Application periods for each round will be open for five weeks. Funding will be for either retrospective or future travel occurring within the advertised eligible event dates for each round.

2017/2018 Funding rounds:

Round

Opening date

Closing date

Eligible start dates for the event

1

16 October 2017

17 November 2017

15 May 2017 – 15 December 2017

2

12 March 2018

13 April 2018

15 November 2017 – 15 June 2018

Regional Athlete Support Scheme

Athletes who permanently reside in a regional location as defined by the State Government’s regional boundaries and are required to travel to attend events as described in the performance categories may be eligible for additional support through the Regional Athlete Support Scheme:

Regional Athlete Support Scheme funding limits by region

Region

Funding limit

Kimberley

Up to $500

Pilbara

Up to $500

Gascoyne

Up to $500

Goldfields

Up to $350

Mid West

Up to $350

Great Southern

Up to $350

Wheatbelt

$150

South West

$150

Peel

$100

Note:regional athletes boarding in Perth are not eligible for Regional Athlete Support.

Frequently asked questions

What is the application process?

Athletes will be eligible for funding once only per financial year in the same sport in the same performance category.

There will be two funding rounds allowing for athletes to apply for either retrospective or future travel and accommodation costs occurring within the eligible dates for the event.

Applications must be lodged online by the required lodgement time and date.

Applications that do not meet the required lodgement deadline for a particular round will not be considered.

All applications must be validated by the relevant SSA.

Are athletes who reside in metropolitan Perth eligible to apply?

Unfortunately no. Over recent times funding provided to the sport and recreation industry has been impacted by a number of factors. This has required difficult decisions regarding allocation of budgets across a range of programs. In the current financial climate, funding is no longer available to support the continuation of the metropolitan component of this scheme.

Is there an age limit for applicants?

Yes. Athletes must be aged between 13 and 21 years of age at the commencement date of the event. (Note: athletes selected for 13 and Under age group events are not eligible).

The ATSS age limits align with Sport and Recreation (WA)’s and the Australian Sports Commission position on junior sport: that sport involvement of children aged under 13 are best focused on participation, the progression of fundamental skills and developing a commitment to lifelong participation in physical activity.

Are athletes selected in National teams eligible for a subsidy?

Unfortunately, no. The guidelines have recently changed as Sport and Recreation (WA)'s position is that funding of national representation is the responsibility of the NSO.

Are athletes who have been selected in Australian squads who have to travel to national selection camps eligible for a subsidy?

Unfortunately, no. The guidelines have recently changed due to budget constraints and the focus of ATSS is to support WA athletes aspiring to represent WA at national events.

Can an athlete who is attending two different events in the same sport within the eligible event dates submit more than one application in the same application period?

No. Only one application per athlete per sport per round will be considered for support.

Can an athlete qualify for a subsidy in different sports in the same round/year?

Yes. Athletes who meet the criteria are eligible for a subsidy in different sports in the same round/financial year.

Do I need to submit receipts for Out-of-Pocket expenses?

No, however Sport and Recreation (WA) reserves the right to randomly audit successful applicants so you should keep a record of the costs associated with the event/competition you are participating in.

If a regional athlete is boarding in Perth but has returned to their home in a regional area for school holidays at the time of the event, are they eligible for a subsidy?

Yes. (Note: Athletes will not be eligible for the additional Regional Athlete Support Scheme if they are boarding in Perth at the time of the event.)

Are athletes who have been selected in State Country Teams eligible for a subsidy?

Athletes must be selected in a bona fide State Team to meet Performance Category level 3 (refer to page 3). Athletes competing at national championships as part of a bona fide State country team will be assessed as Performance Category Level 4 as they are representing country WA and not the entire state.

Is an athlete who is selected to represent their club in a team or as an individual at a sanctioned national championship event or state championship event or tournament eligible to apply?

Yes. The success of the application will be determined once the application is assessed against the Performance Category levels and the relevant SSA consulted as to the athlete’s performance level/national ranking in that sport’s high performance pathway.

Are athletes who have been selected in State School Teams eligible for a subsidy?

Athletes must be selected in a bona fide state team to meet Performance Category 3. Athletes selected in a State School Team that is endorsed by the SSA and forms part of the SSA’s athlete development pathway may be eligible for a subsidy.

Are athletes who have been selected in a club/representative touring team that will travel overseas or interstate to compete against another country or states eligible for a subsidy?

Unfortunately, no. Touring teams are not considered part of the performance pathway and are not eligible under this subsidy scheme.

If an athlete already receives support from other organisations (e.g. Australian Sports Commission, SSA, WAIS, South West Academy of Sport, Mid West Academy of Sport, local government, etc.), are they eligible for a subsidy?

Yes. If there is no surplus income against the out-of-pocket travel and accommodation costs.

Is an athlete eligible for a subsidy if they attend a boarding school in another regional area from where they live?

Yes. An athlete attending a boarding school in another regional area from where they live will be eligible for a subsidy. However, Regional Athlete Support will be based on the location of the boarding school.

Appendix 1

Information required to complete the online application.

Event details

Event name (the full official event e.g. 2017 National Under 15 Boys Hockey Championships)

Team/squad name (the full official team name e.g. 2017 WA Under 15 Boys Hockey Team)